French far-right founder Le Pen charged for ’embezzling’ EU cash

Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the far-right National Front, was charged on Friday for “embezzlement of public funds” over allegations he illegally claimed money from the European parliament to pay France-based staff.

Le Pen, who was an MEP from the 1980s up until this year, was investigated over the improper spending of EU funds after the European Parliament lifted his immunity in March.

Judges questioned Le Pen for more than four hours about the jobs of three of his aides, according to his lawyers.

Despite losing his immunity, Le Pen has refused to appear before the judges.  Le Pen’s estranged daughter Marine, who now heads the renamed National Rally, has already been charged in the case.

Investigators suspect the National Front used money from Brussels earmarked for parliamentary assistants there to pay staff for party work in France.

It is estimated almost seven million euros was diverted from the European Parliament between 2009 and 2017.

Via The Local France/ DW/France24